Bellingham: Second selectmen candidate emerges

BELLINGHAM — A second candidate for the Board of Selectmen seat up for election on May 6 has pulled nomination papers, pledging to support "responsible" development and protect the town’s senior citizens.

Don Martinis, a Medway native who moved to Bellingham more than two decades ago, said his business acumen would help him on the board. The 53-year-old said he ran a successful software company in the 1990s before eventually selling it to Thomson Reuters, where he currently works.

"I plan well," Martinis said Friday. "In building my business, I anticipated the market and adapted to change."

Although he has never held an elected position with the town, Martinis said he has served on several smaller boards, including a panel that advised the superintendent of schools.

He said as a selectman, he would pay close attention to the needs of the town’s senior citizen population.

"I want to make sure that our elders and their senior center are well protected and not forgotten," he said.

Martinis praised the current board, saying he has been in favor of some of its major decisions over the last two years, from supporting the turf field at Bellingham High School to finding a way to fund the new police station without an override.

The town administrator, he said, has done "a fantastic job" controlling development.

"I’m for responsible, thoughtful development in this town," he said.

A father of four, Martinis hopes to change people’s perceptions about the town, especially the younger generations.

"I love this town," he said. "I see a lot of families saying they can’t wait to get out of Bellingham. I say, ‘Why do you want to leave?’"

One other candidate has taken out papers for the two selectmen seats on the ballot: incumbent Michael Soter, presently the board’s vice chairman.

There is also a seat on the School Committee and positions on the Board of Library Directors and Planning Board up for election.

Residents have until 5 p.m. on Thursday to pick up nomination papers from the town clerk at the Municipal Center, 10 Mechanic St. Papers must be returned with signatures by 5 p.m. on March 11.